Bison of the Jungle

My very favorite animal is the bison*. Bison have become my favorite animal because E and I used to see a lot of bison when we first started dating. E's hometown has a herd at the state park where we used to go camping when I'd visit him in the summer, and our first big trip together was a week in the Black Hills of South Dakota**.

While we were on our trip, E bought me a stuffed bison which I sleep with most nights. E used Bison when he proposed, and Bison later became the ring pillow at our wedding.

So of course, when I found out about BGS, I decided she needed a bison of her own. Luckily I had a little stuffed bison that I had bought as a gift for one of E's nieces that I had not quite gotten to her yet. So he became Baby's First Bison. E teases me that bison don't live in the jungle (the theme for our nursery- pictures coming soon), but I say this one does. And I can't wait to see BGS playing with her own little guy!

*My second favorite animal is the sloth, also found in baby's nursery :)

**Since that time, our trips have gotten a little more exciting

Weeks 37 and 38

Time is flying by now. I think E and I are about as ready as we can get for BGS to arrive. There are a few things we still need to pick up, but nothing we couldn't live without for a few days.

Last week my lovely co-workers threw me a baby shower, which was so sweet. I wasn't expecting anything at work because I'm so new, but a bunch of people came to wish me luck with my new adventure. Later the same day, E and I took a breastfeeding class at our hospital. I thought it was really helpful, and gives me a little more confidence that I'll be able to figure it out when the time comes. The combo of E and I sitting for the 3 hours must have been funny though. BGS really likes to kick around my ribs, making sitting quite uncomfortable by the end of a long day, and E recently broke 2 ribs* in a little snowmobiling accident.

Here's a shot at 37 weeks

This is finals week at school, which means at the end of the day 2nd trimester is done. I've been setting this day up (since the beginning of the year) as the mark for when baby would be due. I need to get my brain to remember that I still have 7 more days with students, so no relaxing on school work just yet. My long term sub has been hired though, and we're hoping she be able to spend a few days with me learning the ropes before I have to leave.

Here's a shot taken just last night... 38 weeks! I feel like my belly is really taking over!

*I have been joking that E hurt himself purposely because I told him very early in my pregnancy that he would be in charge of cleaning the bathroom when I got to my last month. I know he feels really bad that he can't be more help now. I'm just hoping that he's fully recovered when BGS gets here so he can snuggle with her.

35 and 36 Weeks

This post is a little late, but better late than never. Weeks 35 and 36 went well overall. I have a few weird things going on, but the doctor says they're normal. Besides BGS loving to kick me in the ribs and gal bladder, there is an area at the top of my belly that gets a numb feeling throughout the day. The doctor said he's not sure why, but he hears about that problem fairly frequently. At my 36 week appointment (which I may or may not have gone to on the wrong day) I had my iron levels checked, and they were a little low, so I'm taking an iron supplement now. That is helping me feel much less lightheaded. I wish I had figured it out sooner. Teaching while lightheaded is not fun.


E and I spent our Valentine's Day weekend in childbirth class. I left the classes both more and less concerned about the arrival of baby. I feel better because I have a better idea of what will happen once I get to the hospital, and we got to tour the facilities, but at the same time, the delievery part is scary. Ah! I was extremely thankful that due to some kind of technical issue, the videos were all in black and white. For some reason that made them much easier to handle for me. On a side note, I was very confused by why the women in the videos all seemed to have their MILs in the room for delivery. That is NOT part of my plan.


Here is a shot of me at 35 weeks (I missed 36 weeks...oops).

Belly Laughs

One of the very first people I told I was expecting (after E and my mom), was my dear friend Heather. Being the fabulous friend she is, shortly after I told her my big news, I received a care package in the mail. The package included a cute make-up bag, some foot lotion and the book, Belly Laughs by Jenny McCarthy.

I have to admit that I was a little skeptical at first about reading anything written by Jenny McCarthy, but Heather had tucked a note inside that she had heard the book was hilarious, and I trust her judgement, so I started reading. And she was right, it was hilarious! I laughed through much of the book.

Besides being so funny, it was also a great book to read at a time when I wasn't ready to share the news with many people. There were already a lot of changes happening with my body, and I was a little freaked out. Belly Laughs helped me relax and realize that the things happening to me were very normal.

Last night I picked up the book again to finish it up. Early in my pregnancy I avoided anything that had to do with actually giving birth to the baby. I didn't think I needed to get myself worked up about that part until much later. I was reminded how much I enjoyed the book, and read Jenny's no-no list for husbands to E again (just to refresh his memory).

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is expecting. I'm trying to get my hands on a copy of Baby Laughs now to prepare myself for the first year with baby.

34 Weeks

I can't believe I'm already to 34 weeks! At first it felt like each week lasted a really long time, but now they're flying by.

Not a whole lot to report as far as baby goes right now. She still seems to be doing well, even after I took a little fall in the parking lot earlier this week. I think I probably looked like a cartoon character. One second standing totally up, the next flat on my back. I guess I'll have to be more careful until all the snow and ice melt.


In non-baby related news, my principal told me that my teaching position is being cut for next school year, so I have a lot to think about with that situation. There's not a lot I can do as far as finding a new job for the next couple months, so (after a very emotional Tuesday night) I'm trying to stay calm. Lucky for me, I have a wonderful husband who brought home flowers to cheer me up!

Love and...

I am now 32 (actually, now up to 34) weeks pregnant. Only 8 weeks until I reach the magical 40 weeks and (hopefully) get to meet the little lady.

There are some things I absolutely LOVE about being pregnant, and other things that, well, I don't love so much. But, to focus on the positive...

My absolute FAVORITE thing is feeling baby girl kick. When I first started feeling her move back in October, I wasn't quite sure what I was feeling, but now there is absolutely no doubt. She is a dancing queen. Anytime I eat, sit down, relax, try to sleep or do a variety of other activities, I can feel her squirming around in her cramped little space.

Another wonderful part is sharing the experience with E. Every Wednesday night I get out my copy of What to Expect and we read the little excerpt about baby girl's growth for the week. It's such a fun thing to look forward to each week!

If you know me, you know that I like pink. A lot. And you might expect me to take advantage of the fact that I'm having a girl to get a pink room in my house. But, I did not paint my nursery pink. Baby girl's nursery has a jungle theme. And it has been incrediably fun to decorate the nursery for her (more on that later).

I also like not worrying about weight (well, not as much). I've been trying to keep my weight gain reasonable, and to continue exercising throughout the pregnancy. I have not, however, restricted my intake of sweets. And, as an added perk, nobody really comments on how much I eat. People suggest more sweets, not less, and I'm not one to argue with that!

33 Weeks

It's hard to believe I'm already 33 weeks along. Only 7 more until baby arrives!


I had an appointment with the doctor yesterday, and everything's still looking good. My belly is measuring a little small according to doc, but I feel like it's huge. I have a hard time imagining it getting even bigger over the next (almost) 2 months! I'm still feeling sick some mornings, but at least it's not an every day thing.






I think we're in pretty good shape with the nursery but we still have much to do to get ready for BGS. As of now, she would still be spending most of her time naked or swimming in big clothes. I got a whole bunch of super cute stuff at my baby shower last weekend, but mostly things for her to wear a few months down the road.